A similar recall has been issued for specific Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage models, less than a month after owners of 2020–2022 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride were advised not to park their cars inside owing to a fire risk.
The latest in a series of recalls involving fire risks involving vehicles from the Hyundai Motor Group is a voluntary recall of Kia America, Inc.'s automobiles.
The tow hitch harness module's printed circuit board may become contaminated with foreign objects and moisture, according to the most recent recall notice, which raises the risk of an electrical short. A fire in the tow hitch harness module could result from this.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the recalled Kia Sorento and Sportage models contain about 70,000 vehicles. There is a port-installed alternative for the tow hitch harness on more than 22,000 of those vehicles (PIO). Nearly 49,000 units had the item fitted at the dealer during this time.
Kia is advising owners of affected vehicles to park them outside and away from buildings while they wait for the recall to be fixed. Kia is still working on a fix for the problem. Additionally, Kia has instructed its dealerships to return any unsold harnesses to Kia America and to refrain from selling the tow hitch harness. On November 9, 2022, dealers will be notified of the recall; owners will be notified starting on November 14, 2022.
Naturally, the recall only affects Sorento and Sportage models with Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessories installed.
While the tow hitch harness attachment involved in this most recent recall may have sounded similar to the prior recall involving the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, it was actually provided by a different company, specifically Mobis Parts America.